Dough-dividing machine.



PATENTED APR. 16, 1907. R. J. F. &*A. E. ALDRED. DOUGH DIVIDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 29. 1906.

No. 850,332. PATENTED APR. 16, 1907.

' R. J. F. & A. E. ALDRED. A

DOUGH DIVIDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 29. 1906.

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DoUGH DIVIDING MACHINE. A PPLIUATION FILED DBO. 29. 1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

. A TTU/ML* .UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIoE. l

ROBERT J. F. ALDRED AND ALFRED E. ALDRED, OF GLENCOE, ONTARIO,

CANADA.

DouGH-'DIVID'ING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent PatentedvAprI 16, 1907.

To (LZ/ wil/m it may concern,.- 4

Beit known that we, ROBERT J. F. AL- DRED and ALFRED E. ALDRED, ofthetown of Glencoe, in the Province of Ontario, Canada,`

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dough-DividingMachines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines in which dough is divided,compressed, meas- -ured 0H, and finally discharged onto a suitableconveyer; and our object is, iirst, to devise a machine which may beeasily cleaned;

Isecond, to simplify the mechanism by providing means operating thedividing-knife and the discharge from one cam; third, to devise improvedmeans for applyin the com'- pressmgefiect of a weight' to t e dough;

, similar view ta en from the front of the machine. Fig. 3 is an endAelevation looking Iin the same dlrection, with the hopper swung to oneside and certain of the parts omitted to moreclearlyshow the remainder.Fig. 4 is a detail in side elevation of' the means for operating theplunger. Fig. 5'is asimilar view showing the means for operating thedischarger and the knife. Flg. 6 is a similar view showing part of alever for moving thel measuring-chamber and the cam for moving thelever.

In the drawings like letters of reference indicate corresponding partsin the diEerent figures.

1 is the frame of the machine, suitably shaped to support the different'parts. At the top of the machine is formed a plun erohamber 2, withinwhich the plun er-B is ongitudinally movable. This cham er is preferablyopen in front andis also open at-the top, and above it is secured theremovable hopper 4. This is secured inposition by means of hinges 5 ateach side, one half of each hinge being formed on the plungerside, asshown in Fig. 3.

.tedA lines in Fig. 1.

chamber and the other onthe hop er. Each hinge-pin 6 is removable, sothat y removing one pin the hopper mag be hinged to one y removing bothpins the hopper ma be completely removed, if desired. The p unger ispivotally connected with one end of the connecting-rod 7, the other endof\which is pivotally connected with the lever-arm 8, fulorumed on theshaft 9. As indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, the plunger may bethrown up out of the plungerchamber in order that the latter may becleaned out. This of course can only take place when the hopper has beenremoved, as shown in Fig. 3.

Between the hopper and the plungerchamber are formed the guideways 10,in which the dividing-knife l1 -is adapted to slide. This knife ispivotally connected with one end of the connecting-rod '12, the otherendI of which is pivotally connected with the lever-arm 13, of which theshaft 9 is the fulcrum.

Owing to the fact that the guideways for the knife are formed betweenthe Walls of the plunger-chamber and the Walls of the hopper, when thehop er is removed, as shown m Fig. 2, the kmfe may 'be liftedfout of theguldeways and swung back, as shown in dot- This enables the knife andthe interior of the apparatus to be readily got at for cleaningpurposes, the ease with which the plunger also can be hinged u out ofthe. chamber contributing materia y to this result, as alreadydescribed.

In the end of the plunger-chamber 2 op-` posite the plunger are ormedone or more apertures l14, through which dough may be forced by theplunger into the measuringchambers 15. Each chamber comprises a cylinder16, providedgwith a head 17, held in .position in any ordinary manner.

The measuring-chambers are connected to a slide 18, vertically movablein the guides 19, formed on the frame of the machine. Themeasuring-chambers may thus be brought into alinement withthe'plunger-chamber, as

'shown' in Fig. 1, or moved down after they have been filled for thepurpose of discharging their contents, as hereinafter described. For thepurpose of discharging its contents at the-proper time and also for thepurpose of varying its capacity, each measuring-chamthe pressure.

limited by the vertical stop-plate 23. This ber is provided with apiston 20, provided with a pitson-rod 21, extending through the end ofthe cylinder and preferably provided with a friction-roller 22. 1t isevident that by adjusting the piston within the'cylinder the capacity ofthe measuring-chamber mayy be adjustedat will.

It will be understood, of course, by those skilled in the art that doughis forced into the measuring-chamber by the action of the plunger, thepiston moving outwardly under This outward movement is stop-plate issecured to a cylindrical slide 24, which is fitted into asimilarly-shaped guide 25, formed on the Trame of the machine. Anadjusting-screw' 26 is revolubly carried by the slide and engages thenut 27, formed on the guide. Hence byrevolving the adjustingsof screwthe stop-plate 23 may be adjusted to and from the measuring-chambers.For the purpose vof holding the slide from rotation we provide the guidewith a spring-actuated pin 28, the end of which is adapted to engage alongitudinal groove 29, formed in the slide. When it is desired toyswing the stop out of the way, the pin may be lifted, lwhen the slidemay be easily turned in its guide.

As indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3, the stop-plate is of sufficientwidth to serve'for the adjustment of the capacity of both themeasuring-chambers. 'The measuring-chambers are raised and lowered bymeans of a bell-,crank lever 30, fulcrumed on, the shaft 31. One arm ofthis lever is ivotally connected with the connecting-rod) 32, the otherend of which is pivotally connected with the slide 18. .This bell-cranklever is operatedfin a manner to be hereinafter described.

The operation of the device -so far as described is substantially asfollows: Dough is fed into the hopper and thence into thelunger-chamber. The knife moves forwar and divides the dough. Theplunger subseuently moves forward and compresses the ough into themeasuringr chamber orl chambers. Before the plunger retreats themeasuring-chambers are moved downwardly. -It will be noted that theslide 18, carrying the `measuring chambers, extends well above theselatter, so that when the -Ineasuringchambers have been moved away fromthe A.aipertures 14 the slide 18 closes these latter.

e 'measuringchambers move down to a position just above the endlessconveyer 33, which is carried. on the pulleys 34 and driven in ansuitable manner. When the measuring-c ambers are in their loweredposition, the pistons 20 are operated by the mechanism we will nowdescribe to force the dough out onto the conveyer.

The discharger 35 comprisesl a curved bar' secured to the rods 36,suitably guided in the frame of the machine, and these rods areconnected by a cross-bar 37, pivotally connected tend to maintainconnecting-rod 38, the other ,end of which is pivotally connected withthe lever-arm '13. 'The object in curving the discharger 35 downwardlyis to bring it into alinementwith the measuring-chambers in theirlowered position, while enabling us to place suitable position above theoperating-gear of theapparatus. This operating-gear we will nowdescribe.

39 is a cam-shaft suitably journaled in the frame'of the machine.gear-wheel 40, meshing with a pinion 41 on the driving-shaft 42, whichis provided with with one end of the the usual fast and loose pulleys 43andn44.A

On this cam-shaft is fast a cam 4,5, which cam engages the roller 46lonfthe end vof the shorter arm of the bell-crank lever 30. The cam 45thus eHects the vertical movements of the measuring-chambers through the-c'on nections already described. On the same shaft is secured a camroller 48 on one arm ofthe bell-cranklever 49.

Preferably formed integral with` the cam 47 is a cam 50, which engagesthe roller 51 on the shorterA arm of the lever 13, which is also shapedas a vbell-crank lever. This lever `13, it will be noted, is adapted't'ooperate the dividing-knife and the discharger. I.

The lever 8, operating the plunger, it will be noted, has its hub 52journaled on the hubs 53 and 54 of the levers 49 and 13. (See Figs. 2and 3.) This lever-arm 8, it will he seen, is thus loose and has nodirect drive. It is, however, given a yielding connection 4with thelever 49 through the medium of a weight in the yfollowing mannen On thefront of the machine is journaled a shaft 55. On this shaft are securedtwo pulleys or sprocket-wheels 56, to which are secured chains 57. Theother ends of thesechains are connected to the weight` 58 in Va mannerto be hereinafter described. On theshaft 55 is also secured a pulley orsprocket-wheel 59, to which is secured a chain 60. This ,chain passesaround the idlers 61` on the lever 49,l

and its other end issecured to the lever-8 at 62. A stop 63 is securedto the rear side of the lever 49, and it follows from the constructionjust described that the weight 58 will the lever 8 in contact. with thestop. It is evident then that the rotation of the cam 47 will cause thelevers 49 and.8 to be reciprocated as if they were one as long as theplunger is free to move forward. When a charge of dough isv beingcompressed, a point is soon reached at which it will yield but little tothe compressing effect of the plunger. At this point the lever .49 movesout of engagement with the lever8 the rods 36, which carry it, in a Thisshaft carries a 47, which engagesthe- IOOl the movement of the plun erstant until the reverse movement of the, plunger commences.

It is of course necessary that the cams be so proportioned and timedthat the movements of the various parts occur in proper sequence. Thesequence is as follows: The

dividing-knife is first moved to cut the dough. VSimultaneouslytherewith the discharger is moved rearwardly. A's soon as a charge ofdough is cut H the plunger is operated to compress the dough. Before thepressure of the plunger is removed the measuring-chamber is moveddownwardly to its discharged position and subsequently the dischargermoved forward to force out the measured and compressed dough onto 'theconveyer. The connections of the chains 57 with the weight, hereinbeforereferred to, is formed in the following manner: The end of the chain ispreferably formed as a-rod 64. Each rod is carried down through theweight into a recess 65, formed in the under side of the'weight. A head66 is formed on the lower end of each rod, and between this head and theupper end of the recess is placed a coil-spring 67. When the plunger isstopped by contact with the dough, the weight is lifted Very rapidly`and the spring connections just described aid materially in reducing thejar on the machine, which would otherwise result. l l l It will be notedthat the idlers (il on the lever 49 are located one toward the end ofthe lever and the other quite close to the fulcrum. This arrangement isimportant. for as the chain leads direct from the sprocketwheel 69,carried by the frame to the idler nearest the fulcrum of the lever whenthe 4two levers 49 and 8 move together, there is f very little liftimparted. to the weight, whereas when the lever 81's stopped, aspreviously described, and the lever 49 moves away from it the idler 61,near the end of the lever 49, rapidly draws on the bight of the chain60, and the full effect of the weight is utilized in compressing thedough'.

What we claim as our invention is- 1. In a dou -dividing machinethe-combination of a pIunger-chamber a hopper removably secured thereon;a dividing-knife, guidewa s for the knife being formed beltween t ewallsof the chamber and the hopper; and a plunger in said chamber, thechamber being shaped to permit of the removal of the plunger throu h thehop er side of the chamber when the hopper as been removed,substantially as described.

2. In a dough-dividing machine thecombination of a plunger-chamber; ahopper removably secured thereon; and a plunger in -said chamber, thechamber being shaped to,

permit of the removal of the plunger through the hopper side of thechamber when the hopper has been removed, substantially as described.

3. In a dough-dividing machine the combination of a plunger-cham ber ahopper removably secured thereon; a dividing-knife, guideways for theknife being formed between the walls of the chamber and the hopper; asuitably-fulcrumed lever; and aconnecting-rod having a pivotedconnection with the lever and the4 plunger whereby the knife may beswung out of its guideways after rescribed.

4. In a dou h-dividing machine the combination of a piIunger-chamber 'ahopper removably secured thereon; a plunger in said chamber, the chamberbeing shaped to permit of the removal of the plunger through the hoppervside of the chamber when the hopper has been removed; asuitably-fulcrumed lever; and a connecting-rod having a pivotedconnection with the lever and the plunger whereby the plunger may beswung out of the chamber when the hopper has been removed, substantiallyas described.`

5. In a dough-dividing machine the combination of a reciprocatingdividing-knife; a reciprocating discharger; a suitably-fulcrumedbell-crankv lever; a revoluble cam with which one arm of the bell-cranklever is pivotally connected to the other arm of the bell-crank lever,and to the knife and discharger respectively, substantially asdescribed.

6. In a dough-dividing machine the combination of a hopper; aplunger-chamber below the same; a knife adapted to reciprocate betweenthe two; a plunger adapted to reciprocate in said chamber; means formoving the same; a measurin -chamber adapted to be moved transverse ylof the plungerchamber; means for moving the measuringchamber into andout of alinement with the plunger-chamber; a piston movable in saidmeasuring-chamber; a piston-rod secured to said piston a reciprocatlngdischarger adapted to engage the piston-rod when the measment with theplunger-chamber; and means for simultaneously operating the knife anddischarger, substantially as described.

7. In a dough-dividing machine the combination of a hopper; aplunger-chamber below the same; .a knife adapted to reciprocate betweenthetwo; a plunger adapted to reciprocate in said chamber; means formoving the same; al measuring-chamber adapted to be moved transverselyof the measurin -chamber into and out of alinemen't wit theplunger-chamber; a piston movable in said measuring-chamber; apiston-rod secured to said piston; a reciprocatmoval of the hopper,substantially as denung-chamber has been moved out of alineadapted toengage; and two connecting-rods IOS IIO

plunger-chamber; means lfor `moving the ing discharger adapted to engagethe pistonrod when the measuring chamber'has been moved out of alinementwith the plungerchamber; a suitably-fulcrumed lever; means for rockingthesame; and two connectingrods pivotally connected to the lever and tothe knife and discharger respectively, substantially as described. 8. Ina dough-dividing machine the combination of a plunger-chamber; a.plunger movable therein; a suitably-fulcrumed lever; a link pivotedsecond lever suitablyfulcrumed; mechanism adapted to rock said lever; aweight; a chain connection between the weight and the first lever; andidlers onY the second lever and the frame round which the chain iscarried so that by the rocking of the second lever the first lever iscaused to raise and lower the i weight and move the plunger,substantially as described.

9., In a dough-dividing machine the combination of a plunger-chamber; aplunger movable therein; a suitably-fulcrumed lever; a link pivoted onthe plunger and lever; a second .lever suitably fulcrumed; mechanismadapted to rock said lever a weight; a chain connection between theWeight and the first lever; idlers on the second lever and the frameround which the chain is carried so 4that by the rocking of the secondlever t'he first lever is caused to raise and lower the weight and movethe plunger; and la stop limiting the forward movement of the firstlever relative to the second, substantially as described. K j

10. In a dough-dividing machine the combination of a plunger-chamber; aplunger 'movable therein; a suitably-fulcrumed lever; a drivingconnection between the lever and the plunger; 'a second lever suitablyfulcrumed; mechanism adapted to rock said lever; a weight; a chainconnection between the weight and the first lever; and idlers on thesecond'lever and the frame round `which the chain is carried so that bythe rocking of the second lever the first lever is caused to raise andlower the weight and move the plungery substantially as described.

1 1l. In a dough-dividing machine the combination of a plunger-chamber;a plunger.

movable therein; a suitably-fulcrumed lever; a driving connectionbetween the lever and the plunger a second lever suitably fulcrumed;mechanism adapted to rock said lever; a weight; a chain connectionbetween the weight and the first lever; idlers on the second lever andthe frame round which the chain is carried so that by the rocking' ofthe second lever the first lever is caused to raise and lower the weightand move the plunger;

and a stop limiting the forward movement -of the first lever relative tothe second; substantially as described.

12.' In a dough-dividing machinethe commovable therein;

on the plunger and lever; al

bination of a measuring-chamber; a piston a piston-rod connectedthereto; a stop .with which the end of the piston-rodjmay engage; acylindrical slide to which said lstop is connected, having alongitudinal groove in its surface; a stationary cylindrical guide inwhich said slide is movable; means for adjusting said slide lengthwisein the guide; and a radially-movable pin adapted to engage said slot,substantially as described. j 1.3. In a dough-dividing machine aplunger; a lweight having al cylindrical recess formed in its underside; a chain passing down through said recess; a coil-spring engagedwith the lower end of the chain and the upper end of the recess; andmeans for drawing on the chain to raise the weight and to bring itsgravity to bear on. the plunger, substantially as described.

14. In a dough-dividing machine the combination of a plunger-chamber; aplungerV a suitably-fulcrumed lever; a link pivoted on the Iplunger andlever;

movable therein;

a' second lever suitably fu cruined mechanism adapted to rock saidlever; a weight; a chain connectionl between the weight and the firstlever; an idler on the second lever adjacent to the fulcrum; an idler onthe ysaid lever near its end, andan idler on'the frame, the chainrunningfrom the idler on the frame around the idler adjacent to thefulcrum of the lever, andvthence around the other idler on the lever toits point of connection with the first lever, substantially asdescribed.

15. In a dough-dividing machine the combination of a plunger-chamber; aplunger movable therein; asuitably-'fulcrumedlever; a driving connctionbetween the lever and the plunger; a second lever suitably fulcrumed;mechanism adapted to rock said lever; a weight; a chain connectionbetweenthe weight and the first lever; an idler on the second leveradjacent to the fulcrum; an idler on the said'lever near itsend, and anidler on the frame, the chain running from the idler on the frame aroundthe idler adjacent to the fulcrum of the lever, and thence around theother idler on the lever to its point of connection with the firstlever, substantially as described. i

16. In a dough-dividing machine the combination of a plunger-chamber; aplunger movable therein; a suitably-fulcrumed. lever; a link pivoted onthe plunger and lever; a second lever suitably fulcrumed; mechanismadapted to rock said lever; a weight;a chain connection between theweight and the first lever; an idler on the second lever adj acent tothe fulcrum; an idler on the said lever near its end; an idler on theframe, the chain ruiming from the idler on the frame around the idleradjacent to the fulcrum of the lever, and thence around the other idleron the lever IOO to its point of connection with the iirst lever; lidler 0n the frame, the chain running from 15 land a stop limitin Itheforward 4movement of the rst lever relative to the second,substantiallyas described.

17 In a dough-dividin machine the combination of a plunger-c amber; aplunger movable therein; a lsuitably-fulcrumed lever; a drivingconnection between the lever and the plunger; a second\ lever suitablyfulcrumed; mechanism adapted to rock said lever; a Wei ht a chainconnection between the Weigt and the first lever; an idler on the secondlever adjacent to the fulcrum; an idler on the said lever near, its end;an

the idler on the frame around the idler adjacent to the fulcrum of thelever, and thence around the other idler on the lever to its point ofconnection With the first lever; land a stop limiting the forwardmovement of the first lever relative to the second7 substantially asdescribed.

Glencoe, Ontario, December 24, 1906.

ROBERT J. F. ALDRED'. ALFRED E. ALDRED. In presence of- WILLIAM D. Moss,ALFRED SMART.

